By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
In a heartfelt gesture that blends patriotism with quiet impact, the Kogi State Government has commended Hon. James Abiodun Faleke for his steadfast commitment to the security and wellbeing of his native state.
Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives but hails from Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, recently donated a brand-new Hilux patrol vehicle to the newly commissioned Smart Police Divisional Headquarters in his hometown — and his home state is taking notice.
“This is not politics. This is love for one’s people,” said Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja. “Hon. Faleke is a patriotic Kogite who shows leadership, not with speeches, but with real sacrifice.”
The statement came on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who has consistently championed grassroots security and youth-focused governance. Fanwo noted that Faleke’s actions reflect a clear choice to place security above politics, and people’s lives above personal ambition.
The Smart Police Divisional Headquarters, a state-of-the-art facility facilitated by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund in collaboration with the Kogi State Government, is part of a broader push to digitize security operations and modernize law enforcement across the state. Faleke’s support has now provided a major boost to that vision.
“Security is everyone’s business — but few actually put skin in the game,” Fanwo said. “Faleke has. And quietly too. From logistics to intelligence coordination, his support has made a real difference in the field.”
According to the Commissioner, the donation of the patrol vehicle is just one part of a pattern of service. “What our people need are real interventions that save lives, not loud politics that serve egos,” he added. “Faleke has shown how to lead with heart and humility.”
Fanwo said the state is confident that the impact of this contribution will ripple beyond Ijumu to Okunland, Kogi West, and the state as a whole. “When leaders act with purpose, communities become safer, stronger, and more united,” he said.
The statement also carried a strong message to others in leadership: emulate this kind of selfless service. “We call on political and business leaders of Kogi origin to rise above distractions and support causes that protect and empower our people.”
Meanwhile, the government sounded a stern warning to illegal miners and their enablers, describing their activities as both dangerous and economically destructive.
“We are watching closely,” Fanwo said. “Anyone undermining the safety of our people through illegal mining or sabotage will face the full force of the law. We are not compromising on the lives of Kogites.”
With Faleke’s intervention standing as a shining example, Kogi’s message is loud and clear: when security comes first, everyone wins.